There are three notable articles in the latest January 2018 Digital Edition of Shooting Sports USA Magazine. F-Class competitors will definitely want to read the report on the 2017 World Championships. And hand-loaders will appreciate the insightful article on the AMP induction annealing machine. The third recommended article provides tips and techniques for sighting in hunting, tactical, and benchrest rifles. Access the entire SSUSA 54-page January 2018 eZine by clicking THIS LINK.

F-Class 2017 World Championships in CanadaStory by Larry Bartholome

Fifteen years ago, the very first F-Class World Championships were held in Canada. In 2017, the Championships returned to Canada for the fifth edition of the match. This year there were triple the number of entries, representing the growing popularity of F-Class competition. Notably, this year’s event was preceded by the Canadian F-Class National Championships. This issue contains a full report on the event, written by Larry Bartolome, a past National F-Open Champion. Shown at right above is the new F-TR World Champion, our friend Derek Rodgers from New Mexico.

Produced in New Zealand, the AMP (Annealing Made Perfect) unit is a sophisticated, microprocessor-controlled annealing machine that achieves ultra-consistent results using an electrical INDUCTION process. By contrast, with butane torch systems you may have to adjust the system when the ambient temperature changes, or even if your butane fuel is slightly different. In this month’s issue of Shooting Sports USA, Field Editor Art Merrill uses the AMP to anneal .30-06 brass for vintage military rifles. The review shows how to use the AMP and explains the advantages of the Induction Annealing vs. flame-based annealing.

Sighting In Your Rifle — Tips for All ShootersStory by Jim Shults

This month’s “Rifle Issue” of Shooting Sports USA focuses on rifle shooting in various forms. Author Jim Shults has written an lengthy article offering tips and techniques for sighting-in your rifle. Shults says “The trick in effective sighting-in (zeroing) is shot-to-shot consistency”. To achieve that consistency, you must first eliminate driver error. You need a stable set-up. Good ammo is also essential and Shults offers an important tip: “Keep your ammo cool and out of direct sun at the range”. Shults also explains there is a big difference between load testing and zeroing. You want to finalize your zero AFTER you have developed your match or hunting load.

How accurate can a sub-$400 rimfire rifle be with moderately priced .22 LR ammo? A lot better than you might expect. CTD Blog Tester Wilburn Roberts took a box-stock CZ 455 American and got 1.1 MOA accuracy with Eley Contact ammo, and 1.3 MOA accuracy with Fiocchi HV ammo. This was shooting from the bench with a $280 3-9x40mm scope and targets set at 50 yards. The actual Eley Contact 40gr average group size for three, 5-shot groups was 0.55″. That is pretty darn impressive for a very affordable rifle with no accurizing.

Group sizes at 50 yards, listed in inches. The .55″ equates to 1.0506 MOA at 100 yards.

Tester Wilburn Roberts was impressed with the CZ 455’s accuracy: “This is an accurate rifle, and I realized this with the first group. The rifle was fired for accuracy at 50 yards. The accompanying table (above) lists some of my results.” Along with target ammo such as Eley Contact, Roberts tested several hunting loads, such as the CCI Velocitor and Winchester Super X, that “have given good results on game”, according to Roberts. Read Full CZ 455 Review.

No Mods Except Trigger Tuning
Notably, Roberts made no changes to his CZ 455 other than adjusting the factory trigger down to 2.5 pounds: “The trigger was smooth enough from the factory at 3.5 pounds. However, if the action is separated from the stock you may adjust the trigger. A small lock nut allows adjusting the trigger, and I was able to back it off to a crisp and clean 2.5 pounds.”

Roberts observed the CZ 455 was very well-made: “The 455 is a replacement for the proven 452 series. The rifle demonstrates first-class quality. The fit and finish are excellent. I was very impressed by what you cannot see — such as chamber dimensions and internal fit and finish. The wood … is nice in appearance, and the fit of the stock to the action is excellent. Inletting is flawless. The barrel channel and the trigger guard is where less-than-perfect fitting shows, but this rifle was flawless.”

CZ 455 Offered with Multi-Caliber Package: .22 LR and 17 HMR

Wouldn’t it be great if a rimfire rifle could shoot both .22 LR and .17 HMR? Well, CZ offers just such a rig — the CZ 455 American Combo, a versatile switch-caliber rifle priced under $500.00. The American Combo (MSRP: $557.00) comes complete with both .22 LR and .17 HMR barrels, easily interchanged with an Allen wrench. As CZ explains: “The CZ 455 eliminates the need to spend the extra expense on a second rifle when you want to add another quality shooter to your rimfire battery”. For a bit more money, you can even purchase a .22 WMR barrel, making your CZ a triple-threat varmint-slayer.

As tested by GunsAmerica.com, the CZ-455 has shown impressive accuracy in both .17 HMR and .22 LR versions. In fact, when GunsAmerica.com tested the CZ 455 American Combo, the .17 HMR version delivered quarter-inch groups at 50 yards. That’s darn impressive accuracy!

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